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Ch. 5 - The Structure and Function of Large Biological Molecules
Chapter 5, Problem 2

The enzyme amylase can break glycosidic linkages between glucose monomers only if the monomers are in the α form. Which of the following could amylase break down? a. glycogen, starch, and amylopectin b. glycogen and cellulose c. cellulose and chitin d. starch, chitin, and cellulose

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1
Identify the type of glycosidic linkages in each of the listed polymers. Amylase specifically breaks down α-glycosidic linkages.
Recognize that glycogen, starch, and amylopectin are all composed of glucose monomers linked by α-glycosidic linkages, which are the target of amylase.
Understand that cellulose and chitin are composed of glucose monomers linked by β-glycosidic linkages, which amylase cannot break down.
Eliminate the options that include cellulose and chitin, as these cannot be broken down by amylase due to their β-glycosidic linkages.
Conclude that the correct answer is 'a. glycogen, starch, and amylopectin' because these are the polymers that contain the α-glycosidic linkages that amylase can break down.

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Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

Glycosidic Linkages

Glycosidic linkages are covalent bonds that connect monosaccharides to form polysaccharides. These linkages can be classified as α or β based on the orientation of the hydroxyl group on the first carbon of the glucose monomer. Amylase specifically targets α-glycosidic linkages, which are found in starch and glycogen, allowing it to break these down into simpler sugars.
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Types of Polysaccharides

Polysaccharides are large carbohydrate molecules composed of long chains of monosaccharide units. Key examples include starch, glycogen, and cellulose. Starch and glycogen contain α-glycosidic linkages, making them substrates for amylase, while cellulose has β-glycosidic linkages, rendering it resistant to amylase action.
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Enzyme Specificity

Enzyme specificity refers to the ability of an enzyme to select and catalyze a particular substrate among many possible candidates. Amylase is specific for α-glycosidic linkages, meaning it can only hydrolyze polysaccharides that contain these linkages, such as starch and glycogen, but not those with β-glycosidic linkages like cellulose and chitin.
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